Book Review and GIVEAWAY: The Good Bride, by Jen Marie Wiggins {ends 11/26}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Marcus nods then turns to Ruth, his voice light. “I know a lot of people have already asked you this, including myself, but I have to ask again. You’re absolutely sure what you saw out there – and you’d only had one drink. One glass of red wine?”

“Yes – but like I said – it was dark and the power went out. He was there…and then when the lights came back – he wasn’t.”

Everyone gets quiet and Marcus stares at Ruth as he waits, finally standing. “I’m sure I don’t have to say it, but technically, according to police procedure, you’re supposed to be my number one suspect. Last one to see him, last one at the scene…”

“What?” Ruth’s voice cracks. “Why would you say that? Why would I –” She looks around the room as it tilts.

Ruth and Teo are hoping to start their lives together with a beautiful wedding that can revitalize the little Gulf Coast town where Ruth and her sisters grew up. Kayla is happy for her wedding  planning business to get a boost after a hurricane has nearly destroyed the town.

Official synopsis:

One year after a devastating hurricane, bride-to-be Ruth Bancroft is marrying her perfect groom in a quaint fishing village on the Gulf Coast. The weekend is carefully curated, with the displays of pomp and social media magic meant to promote an area still struggling to rebuild as well as bring Ruth’s estranged family back together.

Yet as good intentions often go, this road to wed is hell and paved in complications. With tensions rising between the family and the bridal party, long-buried secrets come to light, and accusations start flying. Things officially spiral out of control when the oceanfront rehearsal dinner is rocked by a series of gunshots, and a high-profile guest goes missing. As the investigation gets underway, it turns out that everyone has something to hide.

This book is packed with plenty of family drama! From the obvious wedding, to a divorce, a pregnancy, and teen shenanigans coming back to cause complications, everyone has their own chaos to navigate even before a family member goes missing and is presumed dead.

Several of the characters know of each other since childhood, as happens a lot in a small town. While the current family drama of one of three sisters getting married in their hometown—which is still rebuilding after a hurricane—would be action enough, there’s also back-story with their estranged father, their wedding planner, and oh yeah, protests and politics surrounding the post-hurricane rebuilding.

The story is told from the perspective of each of the sisters, Ruth’s fiance, the sheriff, and the wedding planner. The varied viewpoints really show how everyone’s focus is different, and their secrets are coloring everything that is happening.

This was a fun story to untangle, and the epilogue was especially appreciated to tie things up. The book would be recommended for those who enjoy family dramas, small coastal town stories, and wedding planning. It earned 3 out of 5 stars.

{click here to pre-order via my Amazon Affiliates link - the book releases on 12/10/24}

Becki Bayley is a wife and mother who also enjoys providing joy for her family, reading, and eating chips with dip. See more of what she’s up to on Instagram, where she posts as SweetlyBSquared.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of The Good Wife!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Tuesday, November 26th, at 11:59pm ET, and winner will be notified via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

The Good Bride, by Jen Marie Wiggins